Fermi Marching Band Heading To Washington D.C. For Memorial Day

The Enrico Fermi High School marching band is making final preparations for its appearance in this month's National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

The band was selected to participate in the May 26 parade after being nominated by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney.

"It's a great honor to do this, especially for the seniors," said 18-year-old senior Darryl Simpson. "Going out in a big hurrah, it's going to be our last big event and a good way to end our marching season."

The band of 110 students will march and perform "God Bless America" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the parade, which will be televised beginning at 2 p.m.

The entire band will also have a role during the opening ceremonies, and the band's 16 trumpet players will also be responsible for the playing of Taps.

Mark Reppucci, the band director, said it's a rare opportunity for Enrico Fermi marching band members to travel far away from home to perform. This is the first overnight trip for the band in more than five years.

"It really will bring us a lot closer together as a family, and that's what I love about it," Reppucci said.

Being selected to participate in the parade is just the first step in the trip to Washington. Fundraising and planning also plays a big role. An estimated $83,000 was needed to send the 182 band members, spectators, parents and staff on the trip.

"The easiest part is getting the music and marching down because we do that all year," Reppucci said, saying that the trip's logistics has presented more of a challenge.

The marching band is accustomed to parades, but the members are excited about Washington, D.C.

"I'm looking forward to it," Simpson said. "I want to see how different it's done there. It can also help the band moving forward."

"Normally we do the Memorial Day parade here," Aaron Embacher, a 17-year-old senior, said. "That's a small parade. We're going to be going to a parade much bigger than we're used to. We're preparing a lot more than we usually do."

Josh Carroll, a 16-year-old sophomore and one of the band's drum majors, said that with the local parade, the band might practice for two weeks. They've been preparing for the Washington parade for almost a year.

"This year we are really trying to perfect it," Carroll said. "We're doing a great job preparing and everyone sounds great. It's going to sound really good on TV with the work everyone is putting in."

The students give credit to their parents and Reppucci. The Fermi band is backed by the Fermi Instrumental Music Association for organizational support.

The band will depart on May 24 at 4 a.m. and spend that Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Washington. When they aren't performing in the parade, they'll be touring one of the Smithsonian museums or Arlington National Cemetery.

"The whole trip itself, going to Washington, D.C. — a lot of people don't get a chance to go to the capital," Carroll said. "The fact that we're going to be there and experience it and also be part of the whole parade, it's a good experience."